Dark Money

By Jane Mayer

Description

NATIONAL BESTSELLERONE OF THE NEW YORK TIMES 10 BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR

Who are the immensely wealthy right-wing ideologues shaping the fate of America today? From the bestselling author of The Dark Side, an electrifying work of investigative journalism that uncovers the agenda of this powerful group.

In her new preface, Jane Mayer discusses the results of the most recent election and Donald Trump's victory, and how, despite much discussion to the contrary, this was a huge victory for the billionaires who have been pouring money in the American political system.

Why is America living in an age of profound and widening economic inequality? Why have even modest attempts to address climate change been defeated again and again? Why do hedge-fund billionaires pay a far lower tax rate than middle-class workers? In a riveting and indelible feat of reporting, Jane Mayer illuminates the history of an elite cadre of plutocrats—headed by the Kochs, the Scaifes, the Olins, and the Bradleys—who have bankrolled a systematic plan to fundamentally alter the American political system. Mayer traces a byzantine trail of billions of dollars spent by the network, revealing a staggering conglomeration of think tanks, academic institutions, media groups, courthouses, and government allies that have fallen under their sphere of influence. Drawing from hundreds of exclusive interviews, as well as extensive scrutiny of public records, private papers, and court proceedings, Mayer provides vivid portraits of the secretive figures behind the new American oligarchy and a searing look at the carefully concealed agendas steering the nation. Dark Money is an essential book for anyone who cares about the future of American democracy.

National Book Critics Circle Award FinalistLA Times Book Prize FinalistPEN/Jean Stein Book Award FinalistShortlisted for the Lukas Prize

Reviews

A Great Telling Of How The American Political Machine Now Functions

5

By Son of Bobo Brazil

In this book, Jane Mayer paints a dark picture on how we got to where we are today (at least prior to the 2016 election) in U.S. politics. Regardless of which side of the fence you are on politically, it is a fantastic telling of how the Koch Brothers came to control the system that we know as Democracy.
You will recognize many of the players they have used to do the work, and who continue to do their work today, even though they were elected "by the people".
Read it, and then decide for yourself, if you agree, not with their methods for achieving the goals, but it with the goals themselves. Does congress (and the Koch's (and their network)) really have your best interest at heart when Senators and Congressman take action on bills that will impact you now and in the future.
I don't.
As Charles Koch himself once responded when asked about how much of the financial pie he wants for himself...all of it.
Where does that leave you if he achieves his goal.

Fantastic book

5

By Blaze

Ms. Meyer lays out the facts about the political process in America, and describes the motivations behind the players changing the landscape. Must read for every American who hopes to live in a democracy.

Big money keeps the Country going

1

By SSMan7

Please keep in mind that it's the millionaire/billionaires that help keep the country running. Besides the corruption that exists amongst the left is enormous!
Check the numbers and you'll see.

Everyone needs to read this

5

By ayyylien

The Illuminati Realized.Do not listen to the "conspiracy theories" and bad reviews below. The Koch brothers are known for their political influence. Do your own research.

Scary!

5

By JLB Mini

A must read to understand today's political environment. I hope the next President does something to overturn Citizens United

All the Power That Money Can Buy

5

By AnnandaleMort

This is an excellent book that tells the story of how the Koch brothers and their cohorts have figured out how to have their way with politics. It scares me to think that "the will of the people" can be usurped by a few people with lots of money. I have to hand it to Ms. Mayer fir doing an excellent job of telling the behind the scenes story of how this happened.

Meeeeeh

1

By Doc JJB

Very conspiratorial

Dark Money

3

By Sue Denym

If you like Marxist conspiracy theories based upon innuendo and conjecture that you can recant to impress your fellow progressive ideologues, then this book is for you. It purports that the USA is corrupt whenever the Constitutional constructs are considered as advances in self-governance. Of course, the similar or far more egregious political behavior is never decried when it is George Soros and his plethora of political organizations designed to subject us all to the “enlightened” view of global statists. Progressive subversives all advocate free speech, so long as it complies with their memes and aims. So, if you need to reassure yourself that anyone believing in freedom must be crushed, and that nobody should earn or own anything, because everything really belongs to the government, then definitely get this book. Good luck with that, comrade!

Feeding More Biased Meat to the Leftist Lemmings

1

By bluesman 007

This book will certainly give you that warm and fuzzy feeling of political validation if your views sway to the far left. Too bad - however - that the author's journey for truth, facts, and objective reportage takes many twists and turns along the way - never finding a destination! JustMaddowMaddow